XRobots - 3D Printed Star Wars R2-D2 R6 Droid Part 2 - Completing the Frame

This fellow, James Bruton, is making the myth real. I think this

poses an interesting point pertaining to special effects. This lies

somewhere between CGI and pure analog FX.



In my opinion,

CGI dates itself as soon as it is realized. It is vicious, and devours

itself with extreme velocity as information technology is improved by

the second. To that extent, I feel that it should be used as a tool and

not the main attraction, such as in a movie like "Avatar". I barely remember

what the message of that film was about. I do remember that it relied

heavily on computer graphics. I feel that you can see the lack of true

contact with the living in the actors eyes when they're having a

conversation with the artificially generated sentient.





I digress. I think that information technology is an amazing tool. It

makes child's play of complex constructs. Linear algebra that would take

hours to solve by hand becomes solutions in seconds with computer

systems. This is where 3D printing shows its strength. The creative has a

vision, and needs it to become realized. They use encrypted code to

develop the form in virtual space. Therein the information is decrypted

with a device like Makerbot as its enigma machine, and physically builds

the design. Thus, this process has the potential to make

what may have been only conceivable in dreams tangible to the masses.







Sounding a little Kandinsky. I like Star Wars.

Mathematical Art: Cartesian Creations and Grandfathers of Jungle Gyms

Sol Lewitt looks like the grandfather of crafting in virtual space. Wait a minute. . .  He enamels too. Ideas for projects here:

 

Looks kind of like a jungle gym. By the way, George Boole, namesake for Boolean Algebra including things like Boolean Difference and Boolean Split, is literally the grandfather of the jungle gym. His grandson, Sebastian Hinton, invented the device based on a structure, which his father built for him as a child.

"Hinton's father, a mathematician, had built a similar structure from bamboo when Hinton was a child; his father's goal was to enable children to achieve an intuitive understanding of 3-dimensional space through a game in which numbers for the x, y, and z axes were called out and each child tried to be the first to grasp the indicated junction. Thus the abstraction of Cartesian coordinates could be grasped as a name of a tangible point in space."

(http://winnetkahistory.org/gazette/j-is-for-jungle-gym/)

Star Wars - Thermal Detonator (RotJ) - 3D Print

There are some implications for 3D printing, sculpture, and enamel here.
I would surmise that you could print this with something like Makerbot.
Take that as a mold for a metal casting and enamel over it. I would
prefer a translucent plique-a-jour. Yet this next project will focus on champleve

Words For Enamel (From http://appstateenameling.blogspot.com/)

More Enamel Vocabulary.

ANNEALING: Softening the molecules of the metal by heating in a kiln or with a torch to the correct temperature. This enables the metal to be bent and formed. Temperature for copper; 700-1200F, fine silver; 572F, sterling; 1200F

BASSE-TAILLE: A method of using a textured piece of metal with transparent color fired over it, showing the texture underneath.

BEZEL: A thin metal wall that wraps around and is formed over a stone to hold it in place.

CHAMPLEVE: An enameling technique where there are areas of the base metal are lowered by engraving, etching, or created by soldering/riveting another piece of pierced metal on top. The recessed areas are filled with enamel             until a flat plane is created over the surface. The enamel is then stoned down until smooth and refined. Areas of the base metal may show through.

CLOISONNE: An enameling process that uses thin bezel or cloisonné wire bent into shapes to form line patterns or compartments. The wires are fused (fired) into a clear coat of enamel on top of the base metal. Colored enamels are then applied to the different cells and fired into place, clearing an image or design. Several layers are needed until the enamels reach the top of the cloisonné wire. The enamel is then ground flat and may expose the fine lines of the wire.

COUNTER ENAMEL: The wasted enamel after sifting when you clean up the counter, which becomes a mix of colors but is still useful. Also refers to the layer of enamel on the backside of the base metal, critical in evening out the stress caused by the surface tension of the enamel on one side (coefficient of expansion).

Enamel: Ground up glass, in powder form or liquid (powder suspended in distilled water). May also come in lumps, which can be ground down in a mortar and pestle.

FIRING SCREEN: The stainless steel screen, which supports the trivet for carrying the enameling pieces to and from the kiln.

FLUX: clear enamel with no metal oxides in it for coloring.

GAUGE: The system of numbers used to tell how thick metal is. The higher the number, the thinner the gauge is. 18gauge is a good standard for enameling.

HARDNESS: When referring to enamel and the flow of fusion characteristics of each enamel as is flows across a surface at its melting temperature. ‘Soft’ enamel flows more then ‘hard’.

KILN: The electric heat source (oven) most often used for enameling.

KLYR FYRE: A brand of water based plant gum binder. A modern version of gum arabic. Used as the ‘glue’ for adhering enamel to a surface before firing. Can also be mixed with enamel powder of wet packing and painting applications.

BASE METAL: Copper, fine silver, and high carat gold are the best base surfaces for enameling. Any alloy containing zinc or tin will cause the enamel to be brittle and easily break off.

OPAQUE: Any color that blocks light and does not show the color of the base metal underneath the enamel.

OVER FIRED: An enamel can be fired too hot or for too long. Over firing is usually indicated by burned edges and oxidization occurring. A copper base will start to mix with the enamels and turn things greenish.

OXIDE: The thin, flakey film that forms on a metal surface when exposed to heat. Rust on steel is an example of iron oxide. This layer must be cleaned off before enameling can occur.

PICKLE: Sodium Hydrogen Sulfate (Sparex) or Sodium Bisulfate (Ph minus). Chemicals used in a diluted bath of water heated in a crock-pot. This mixture helps to clean off metal oxides from soldering or enameling.

PLIQUE-A-JOUR: An enameling technique, which uses transparent enamel fired into small opening or piercings in a metal base. This gives a stained glass or jewel effect.

PYROMETER: A device for measuring the temperature inside the kiln.

RESIST: Anything used in the etching process to keep the acid from etching certain parts of the metal.

SGRAFITTO: An Italian word meaning ‘to scratch’ and in enameling refers to scratching through a layer to reveal what is underneath

SIFTING: Shaking powdered enamel through a screen on to a base metal piece.

SUGAR COAT: Under fired enamel which looks a bit like sugar

THERMAL EXPANSION: The rate at which things expand and contract in response to heating or cooling. Enamels have a thermal expansion rate, which is similar to copper and fine silver, which makes them compatible for the enameling process. Which is why the enamel does not crack and fall off the metal base.

THERMAL SHOCK: A dramatic change in temperature, which causes problems for enamels, including cracking.

TRANSPARENT: Enamel which has color, but can been seen through to the base metal. A starting clear coat is often suggested for transparent color in order keep the base metal from reacting with the color.

TRIVET: The stainless steel support that holes the work piece for transport in and out of the kiln. Usually three or four pronged and the edges of the work piece rest on them, not touching the enamel.

UNDER FIRED: Enamel that has not been completely fired (fused) and looks bumpy rather then smooth. Sugar coat or orange peel are stages of under firing.

WARPING: When the metal bows, bends, or twists during thermal expansion.

WET PACKING: Mixing the enamel powder with water, Klyr Fyre, or another binding agent and applying the enamel like a thick paint.

CocoJet 3D Printer (Print in Chocolate)

Here is an article from the Wall Street Journal on 3D printing in chocolate by Hershey . Below it is a video.

"3D Systems presents the CocoJet, a chocolate 3D printer developed in collaboration with The Hershey Company. Ideal for the baker or chocolatier, the CocoJet prints custom designs in dark, milk or white chocolate."

http://blogs.wsj.com/personal-technology/2015/01/06/now-you-can-print-chocolate/

Rough Sketch For the Future (Ideas from ASU CVS)

Ideas for melding metal and my wood and gem designs. The sizes are not fixed. They're probably large for metals; a starting point from which to deviate. The black and grey sections could be any metal. The orange is "wood". The blue, teal, and violet would be gems

ASU CVS Assignment 10: Toys